Kissimmee Daily Photo

2011-07-14T15:08:00.000-04:00

In honor of Bastille Day I'm posting a Paris Banner from the Disney World Food & Wine Festival 2009. I have photos of the Eiffel Tower replica but can't find it.

Here is a link to a Disney blog showing the beginnings of the French Pavillion at Epcot and a photo of the Tower.

Click Here

2010-11-11T09:12:00.001-05:00

I've been visiting Disney World quite often lately. The Osborne Light show is amazing and the Disney elves are working hard to get the rest of the Parks and Resorts Christmas and Holiday ready.

At the Grand Floridian they always have a wondrous Gingerbread House. This is what the preparations look like. All that's missing is the Gingerbread and the icing.

Photo taken by my inherited daughter, Vanessa.

2010-10-29T12:28:00.001-04:00

I know that this isn't Kissimmee but it's close. Derek Gores is a collage artist who lives on the East Coast of Florida and has done the poster for this year's 47th Space Coast Art Festival.

I've signed up to take a 2 day class with Derek. I'm looking forward to it but need to figure out who I want to do. It's a portrait class.

2010-10-12T14:39:00.001-04:00

Since some of you liked our first video, here is the second Sunshine Diva video. We did this here in Kissimmee in May when we had our last get-together. We spent so much time getting this done that we missed the free wine and beer at the poolside cabana. Now that's dedication to our Il Divos.

2010-10-09T23:57:00.000-04:00

This is my cat, Shadow, telling me to wake up and smell the roses and perhaps start blogging again. He's usually right and very bossy so I guess I'll make an effort to post more often.

2009-11-23T14:53:00.002-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted but I'm taking a break to renew my enthusiasm for this blog. In the meantime I'm having lots of fun going to concerts and hanging out with friends.
This was done yesterday in South Florida with my Sunshine Diva group. This morning it was posted to Youtube and we should all be embarassed but we're not. It was such a fun two days and these are the best group of women ever assembled. Just wanted to share it with all of my blogger friends.

2009-11-08T19:19:00.002-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted for a few days. I'm fine, just still recovering from my trip, had company and crazy schedule. I'm off to Puerto Rico tomorrow for a few days to see Il Divo and some friends.
I need to decide whether to continue this blog or head in other directions for awhile. It's been a year and I'm thinking it may need a rest. I'll ponder while I'm away.

2009-11-05T00:02:00.000-05:00

Today I will be at Epcot at Disney World for the Food and Wine Festival. Hopefully I can stay awake and not wear out before the end of the evening and the fireworks. This photo was taken the last time I was there.
Food and Wine Fest is lots of fun and I'm sure I'll have a bit of a pang when we get to Paris. I plan to have a glass of wine and a creme brulee.
Hope to get some photos for future posts. I am out of pictures for this blog so I need to get to work.

2009-11-04T00:02:00.000-05:00

Big surprised when I got home. My neighbors painted their house. It was grey with white shutters. I love the green shutters but I photographed it at dusk so the yellow wouldn't blind anyone. It's very bright but looks nice against the green grass and the green in the shutters calms it a bit.

I need to get out and about and find some new things to photograph in Kissimmee.

2009-11-03T00:02:00.000-05:00

Here is an update on Jasper. He's become so famous and given so many interviews that he lost his voice. Today it was slightly improved as you can see in this video.
I also just noticed that the 1st of November was the one year anniversary for this blog. No wonder I'm tired.

2009-11-02T00:02:00.000-05:00

Home

I'm home and posting a photo of one of my semi-feral yard cats. It seems that Jasper was a hit while I was gone so I may need to take pictures of the Cats of Kissimmee for future posts.
I so want to thank my friend Sharon for all her hard work filling in for me. She did a great job and thanks to those who commented and made her feel welcome. I'm trying to recruit her to start her own blog. She does it well.
I need to catch up on some sleep and all the other stuff that awaits me. I had a wonderful time in Paris.

2009-11-01T00:11:00.001-04:00

Karen is back but is sleeping in today so she asked me to post for one more day. Having moved to Florida from up north I was surprised when I first saw orange blossoms. Unlike up north where the trees have no leaves and are totally covered in blossoms, the orange blossoms pop up between the leaves and often arrive before the year's harvest has been completely picked. Perhaps because of the scarcity of blooms, orange blossoms are very nicely scented to attract the bees. The second pictures shows the beginning of next year's crop.

2009-10-31T00:03:00.000-04:00

Well, the month is up and Karen will be back posting tomorrow. Jasper has his Ferrari hat on so it's time for us to take off. Thanks for allowing me to share my pictures with you all. Farewell from the Space Coast.``Sharon

2009-10-30T00:03:00.000-04:00

You cannot live on the Space Coast without witnessing a shuttle launch. This was taken from across the Indian River in Titusville, probably the best place to watch and experience the launch. I have gone several times by boat to the Banana River to watch but the saying goes, "you almost guarantee that the launch will be postponed if you go to all the trouble of going out in your boat to see it".

2009-10-29T00:03:00.000-04:00

My favorite part of the Kennedy Space Center other than the IMAX theaters is the Rocket Garden, a wonderful history of the U.S. space program. The Saturn V is pictured lying horizontally because it's too tall to display vertically. My Rockets of the World Chart gives a good comparison of the Saturn V bottom right to the shuttle, second from the left in the bottom row. It always amazes me when I see the small cramped capsule where the astronauts were seated. The shuttle's crew compartment is so much larger and the fact that they can move around once in space has got to be a plus.

2009-10-28T00:03:00.000-04:00

Here we are back on the Space Coast. Most people flock to Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach in Central Florida but there is a very pristine beach on the Canaveral Seashores called Playalinda Beach. Since it's located in a protected area, there are NO condos. There is an admission fee to get into the Canaveral Seashores area but you can use your National Park pass to get in. It's worth not having to look at all the ugly tall buildings. The only structures in the distance are the launch pads from the Space Center. It is east of Titusville and north of the Kennedy Space Center. There is a controversial nude beach there, but it is located at the far north end of the beach in a fairly remote location.

2009-10-27T00:03:00.000-04:00

Junkanoo is a Bahamian celebration that is held twice a year: January 1st and December 26th. In the large cities like Nassau it is a carnival-like festival but in small villages in the Outer Islands the kids take newspaper and shred it into strips and make their own costumes and paint their faces to match. This boy was an incredible drummer.

2009-10-26T00:03:00.000-04:00

Dolphins often accompany you while sailing. They especially like ride your bow wake. This one looks like it's floating in the air because the water is so clear on the Bahama Banks.

2009-10-25T00:03:00.000-04:00

Conch on the Barbie. Living on a boat meant diving for one's supper. Conch was my "hamburger" of the sea: I figured anything you could do with hamburger, you could do with conch. Once you figure out how to get the conch out of the shell, the recipes are endless. This is conch pounded and put on the fire. Yummy.

2009-10-24T00:03:00.000-04:00

This is a typical Bahamian sailing smack boat. An old Bahamian I knew named Robbie, who was almost completely blind often sailed one from the Staniel Cay in the Exumas to Nassau (about 85 miles to the NE) and back with only a compass. Each April Bahamian sailors head to Georgetown in the Exumas for the National Family Island Regatta. I have not attended in a long time and I hope that they have kept their tradition and not gone to mylar and kevlar and all the other high tech gadgets that the sailboat racing industry have embraced.

2009-10-23T00:03:00.000-04:00

I am including the Bahamas in my Florida pictures since as a sailor and diver, it has long been considered my "backyard". One of the places I visited on my sailboat was Small Hope Bay on Andros Island. In the 70's a small cottage industry was started in the area. They named the company Androsia and although now it is a well known company with a factory and web site, it began with old claw foot tubs for the tie dying and lines strung between palm trees for drying the fabric. ~~Sharon

2009-10-22T00:03:00.000-04:00

The Blowing Rock Perserve is located on Jupiter Island (about 30 miles north of West Palm Beach). The rocky shoreline is comprise of Anastasia limestone. During the winter, after a strong front the seas can strike the rocks with enough force to create saltwater plumes several feet high, thus giving the area its name.

2009-10-21T00:07:00.001-04:00

Key West isn't just about Hemingway and bar hopping. There is the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory where you can walk amongst the many beautiful butterflies.

2009-10-20T04:27:00.001-04:00

If you tavel to the Lower Keys you will eventually come across the "Key Deer Crossing" signs. On a recent trip we finally saw several in a trailer park on Big Pine Key. This picture does not give a good perspective but they are less than 3 feet tall. Key deers are aptly called toy deers.

2009-10-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

I lived aboard a sailboat for many years and one of the places that the boat was docked was Port Canaveral. This was taken back in the pre-cruise ship days, when the Port was a scallopers' haven. A much quieter, less touristy period for the Port. Unfortunately, the scallopers raped the beds dry and slowly one by one their rusted ships left the area; the putrid smell of scallop shells disappeared, and the the cruise ships arrived.

2009-10-18T00:24:00.001-04:00

Edison, Ford and Harvey Firestone tried to find a plant that would grow in Florida that would produce rubber. Consequently Edison planted many differen trees on his estate, include the huge banyan tree, which is in front of the Visitor's Center and the Mysore fig tree. It was interesting to see the botanical gardens and the laboratory and museum that are on the grounds of the estate.

2009-10-17T06:34:00.001-04:00

A must see place in Ft. Myers is the Edison and Ford Estate. Two of our great inventors, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford had winter homes beside each other. They have been beautifully restored and the grounds are a tropical paradise. Pictured are Ford's and Edison's house respectively. I especially loved Edison's house since it was a true Florida home in the old traditonal way of open breezeways and lots of veranda space. Further down the path is a barn with many of Ford's old cars. The houses are located on the Caloosahatchee River’s south side and affords a beautiful view of the waterway.

2009-10-16T03:46:00.000-04:00

Here's the first baby with Mom--or Dad?? They were very patient with my constantly observing them. Oddly enough my cats did not bother them and they didn't seem concerned that there were cats around. Unfortunately when they left, my spider plant had a very flat top.

2009-10-15T07:21:00.001-04:00

One day I found a pair of doves on our front porch. They had chosen my spider plant as a place to nest. It's in a perfect location, just a bit of morning sun, then shade the rest of the day. I couldn't blame them for choosing this spot and they gave me great pleasure checking out their nesting progress.

2009-10-14T00:14:00.001-04:00

I have seen both the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds perform before this show, but have never seen them at the same air show. What a treat!

2009-10-13T07:18:00.001-04:00

In 2003 the Patrick Air Force Base on the coast here hosted a spectacular air show. At that show we were treated to a flyby of a P51 Mustang of WWII vintage and an A10 Warthog as part of the U.S. Air Force's program called the USAF Heritage Flight that showcases the evolution of their airplanes over the years. Karen will recognize the Mustang: Crazy Horse.

2009-10-12T00:02:00.001-04:00

Jasper goes to work with me every day. When the weather is cooler, I like to ride my bike so I bought a basket and made a carrier for him. Some cats think that life is cool and so are they. That's Jasper.

2009-10-11T00:10:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite garden plants is the bromeliad. It requires no soil; very little watering; and looks beautiful. This one is happily growing under our sea grape.

2009-10-10T00:01:00.001-04:00

My husband and I have spent a lot of time off the coast of West Palm Beach SCUBA diving. In order to obtain our Advanced Diving Certificate, we had to complete several different dives. One dive we chose was underwater photography. Here's a picture of a gray angel fish that I took and a picture of me taking the picture. With the Gulf Stream so close to the coast in South Florida, the water is usually very clear, often providing more visability than the more popular Florida Keys.

2009-10-09T06:45:00.001-04:00

Spanish moss is really not a moss but a bromeliad. It has long been associated with a romantic idea of the Deep South in the United States. It thrives in the humid climate of Florida.

2009-10-08T00:58:00.001-04:00

Another cypress and the St. John's River.

2009-10-07T00:25:00.001-04:00

Hontoon Island State Park is accessible only by water either by private boat or you can take their small ferry boat across the river to the island. We take our bikes and as you can see from the map, there are quite a few paths to explore. The park is located on the St. John's River near Deland. Pictured are cypress trees. Their roots have distinctive structures called knees.

2009-10-06T00:58:00.000-04:00

Last year Tropical Storm Fay paid a visit to Florida and liked it so much that she decided to hang around. There was very little wind damage but her rains flooded many areas. This is Lone Cabbage Fish Camp in West Cocoa on the St. John's River. If you go to the link and look at the yellow sign along the dock, you will see the same sign (Air Boat Rides) in my picture. The floating docks that are usually about 7 feet below the restaurant are almost even with the restaurant's deck. The restaurant was almost underwater.

2009-10-05T00:03:00.003-04:00

Is it Real or is it Memorex?
My cat, Jasper, is known for wearing sunglasses so when I found this garden ornament also wearing sunglasses, I couldn't resist it. Jasper thought he was pretty cool too. ~Sharon

2009-10-04T00:03:00.000-04:00

We got a special treat that day, spotting a wild boar. Friends have also seen a bobcat but it has eluded my camera so far.

2009-10-03T00:02:00.000-04:00

No trip to a wildlife sanctuary is complete without seeing an alligator. This one likes to sun and pose for the tourist.

2009-10-02T00:02:00.001-04:00

Black Point Wildlife Drive continued.
In the summer this area is under water but in the dry season there are many mud flats. The Great Blue Heron is one of its residents, with Ibis and ducks in the background.

2009-10-01T00:02:00.001-04:00

Hi all. My name is Sharon and I will be posting while Karen is enjoying Paris. Although I won't be limiting my pictures to the Space Coast, the first batch will be from the Black Point Wildlife Drive near the Canaveral Seashore. Between late October and early spring you will never be disappointed in the diverse wildlife you will see there. The following pictures were taken in a single visit. This is a Roseate Spoonbill, one of the prettiest birds in Florida. Forget the Flamingos. They're usually made of plastic anyway.

2009-09-30T00:02:00.002-04:00

I leave today for Paris and my friend Sharon will be taking over this blog while I'm gone. She's over on the east coast and has some wonderful photos of wildlife and you may get a special treat and meet her unique cat, Jasper. I'll be posting to my CollageMaven blog from Paris (hopefully, if the computer works)..
For now I leave you with a Kissimmee video showing my area and all there is to do here.

2009-09-29T00:02:00.001-04:00

More photos from The Greenfield Gallery. These Assemblages are by Tom O'Hara and are just two of the hundreds of art pieces hanging on the walls. There is also amazing jewelry, paintings in all mediums, and sculpture. Downtown Kissimmee is really moving up-town.

2009-09-28T00:02:00.000-04:00

The Greenfield Gallery had a Grand Opening celebration on Saturday night. I missed it but had stopped by a few days earlier to visit with Carl Sheerin, who is the Director and one of the featured artists. He works with gourds. Not the crafty gourds that become bird houses or feeders but very funky artsy characters. The first photo (in case you can't tell) is Carl and the second is one of his jazzy creations.
Greenfield Gallery is at 106 Broadway in downtown Kissimmee, next to Lanier's Antique Store.

2009-09-27T00:02:00.003-04:00

I often drive by the field where these three horses live. It is a large field surrounded on two sides by a walled subdivision, by trees to the south and a four lane road to the west. I have been wanting to stop and take photos for quite awhile and finally did yesterday.

They came to see what I was doing and since I had nothing of interest for them they walked away. They seem to be healthy and well fed but it bothers me that they have absolutely no shelter of any kind. This is Florida and we don't just have afternoon showers, we have raging, booming thunder and lightening storms. One is moving through as I write this and it was large and severe. I worry about these animals out all day and night with no shade from the sun or shelter from the rain.

2009-09-26T00:04:00.002-04:00

I spotted this old Maytag wringer washing machine in Lanier's, my favorite antique emporium. There 's always something new to see or should I say something old? I like this because we had one of these when I was very young and I remember standing on a stool and putting the clothes through the wringer and into the large sink to rinse and then back again.
I don't think ours was a Maytag or was accented with the lovely aqua color but if I had a place to put it I'd be tempted to buy it. My kitchen is white and aqua and has a 50's feel to it and were there space, this would fit right in. These antique stores stay in business because so many of us are buying back our childhoods.

2009-09-25T00:08:00.005-04:00

It's pumpkin time of year again. I started this blog last November and some of my first posts were of Halloween displays. While browsing in the local antique emporium this past week I came upon this display of terry cloth and fiber pumpkins. Halloween is still a month away but the stores shelves are filled with bags of candy and Halloween decorations.

There are also aisles of Christmas items on display. Way back when we didn't put them out until after Thanksgiving. Now we just have to get it out there early. By the time the actual holiday arrives, we're sick of it and pack it all up the next day.

Feel free to post your opinions.

2009-09-24T00:02:00.000-04:00

This old red metal chair was outside the antique store in downtown Kissimme. I remember having six or seven of them when I lived in the country. It was nice to sit on the porch and rock while reading a good book. You didn't want to sit in one if it had been out in the hot sun, especially if you were wearing shorts. Ouch.

2009-09-23T00:07:00.001-04:00

I spotted this little anole sitting on the head of my bird bath statue. He stayed quite awhile so I could get a few photos. There are many of them this year and I've spotted a bunch of little babies around so it's been a good year for them. I love to watch them. They are so cute.

2009-09-22T00:02:00.001-04:00

A friend called me last week to tell me about a French Bakery and Bistro she had found on the west side of town. Yesterday she and I and another friend went there for lunch. It is Jean Pierre's Signature French Bakery. They have the best baquettes this side of the Atlantic. All of the food and pastries are freshly made. Jean Pierre had made cassolet for the special du jour and it was delicious. After lunch we shared a large napoleon and had very good coffee.

A taste of France close to home. Now I know where to go when I return and feel homesick for Paris.

Above photo is the entrance and my friends, Cathy and Diane. Below is Jean Pierre at the bar of the Bistro. It is located in the Water Tower Plaza on Hwy 192 near the entrance to Celebration.

ps... it's me. Sharon will take over when I leave.

2009-09-21T00:02:00.000-04:00

Since I am going to be Karen's guest photographer while she's in Paris, I am doing a trial run while she's still in town. Living on the Space Coast I have seen many shuttle launches but never got to see a Saturn V launch and from what I have heard, it was spectacular. The rocket is so big that it can only be safely displayed horizontally in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center.

2009-09-20T00:02:00.002-04:00

This is one section of Lanier's Antique store. They seem to have accumulated a collection of taxidermied animals and animal heads. This is a steer. How yucky!

2009-09-19T00:02:00.002-04:00

I like interesting or beautiful light fixtures. This is another one I found at the Grand Floridian. My guest blogger will be here today for a quick training session. She lives on the East Coast so will have a different photographic slant on central Florida.
Only 12 more days until Paris..

2009-09-18T00:02:00.001-04:00

The Park Fare restaurant in the Grand Floridian is where we had breakfast last week and it was Vanessa's birthday. This is a Character breakfast and I think we took a photo of her with each one. Here she is with my favorite, Tigger. A fun time was had by all.

2009-09-17T00:02:00.000-04:00

How it's done. They start with a detailed outline/drawing which is taped to a column. The pieces are precut and numbered and the tile setters work it like a jigsaw puzzle. Very interesting to watch. This is in the main lobby as you walk in so it features the most important characters. We spotted Mickey, Donald and Pluto but I'm sure there are more of them to discover.

2009-09-16T00:02:00.002-04:00

Fancy inlaid marble floor featuring Peter Pan, Wendy, and the boys. This is on the second floor in front of the elevators at the Grand Floridian Resort. The tile craftsmen are working on the floor in front of the entrance and we enjoyed watching them do their magic. I will post some photos of them in a day or two.

Two weeks from today, I leave for Paris!!!

2009-09-15T00:02:00.000-04:00

The star of the show! Here's Mickey!
Pressed for time so keeping this one short and sweet.

2009-09-14T00:02:00.000-04:00

The elevators at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. This is one of the loveliest hotels. Beautifully decorated and some of the best restaurants on Disney property. These elevators are glass on the opposite side so you can see the lobby as you ride up or down in them.

2009-09-13T00:02:00.001-04:00

An ant's view of one of the huge chandeliers in the Grand Floridian lobby with glipses of the other two domes. There are three with the center one being the largest.
This photo could use some cropping but only my second day at this new computer and I haven't loaded my photo editing program yet. What a lot of work these beasties are.

2009-09-12T00:02:00.000-04:00

This is one view of the beautiful lobby at Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel. It was my inherited daughter's birthday and I joined her and her husband for a fun character breakfast there. They were replacing old carpet in the entrance with wonderful tile work. I'll show that in another post.

I'm breaking in a new computer and don't have all my photos uploaded so using what was in the camera.

2009-09-11T00:03:00.000-04:00

Okay, back to the wildlife. Cormorant was just sitting and let us get close enough to capture him with our cameras. The signs in the nature preserve say that the animals are used to the vehicles but can be wary of people. The ones we found didn't seem to pay us much attention at all.

2009-09-10T00:03:00.001-04:00

I wandered into our local mall recently to find someone to do some alterations. This mall has been here for about twenty years but has never been successful. Stores open and close.. In the beginning there were a few big anchor stores but except for a nice department store at the far end, most of them have changed over the years. At the other end as I was leaving, I spotted this store which sold lingerie and other frilly items. This was the back view of the window display. It made me giggle.

2009-09-09T00:02:00.002-04:00

A pair of Sandhill cranes visit my yard most days. This is the male and he was drinking from the birdbath when I grabbed my camera and captured him looking at the statue. They are not afraid of people and so the city has banned us from feeding them. I used to buy bags of corn for them but now and then I just give them some stale bread. They seem to do well with bugs and seeds they forage for themselves. I've even seen them capture a small mole. Beautiful creatures. I enjoy their visits.

2009-09-08T00:02:00.001-04:00

This Wasp spider was busy weaving his web and working on the zig zag pattern that these Orb weavers put into the center of their webs. Click To learn more about the Family Araneidae and click on the photo to enlarge it.
I just took my own suggestion and clicked on it. The spider isn't working on it's web, it's processing a victim. Appears to be a dragonfly. And I've lost a follower.. Hope it isn't because of the spider. He's not poisonous.

2009-09-07T08:41:00.002-04:00

Egret in the wetlands. A lovely clear day to reflect the bird image in the water.

2009-09-06T00:10:00.002-04:00

This little guy was just minding his own business when a friend spotted a movement in the water. We both jumped out of the car with our cameras to capture him. His image, that is. He didn't seem to mind and I did use my zoom for the photos. I know not to mess with alligators.
I drove over to the east coast on Friday to meet my friend and we drove up to a nature preserve in Titusville. There is usually a great variety of birds to see but since it's still very hot and it was near midday there were only some egrets and a comorant. We did spot a fancy spider and this little guy so we plan to go back when the weather cools and try to get there earlier. I'll post the birds and the spider in the next few days.

2009-09-05T00:02:00.001-04:00

There's a new Coffee Cafe in Kissimme. This is Craig and Christine behind the counter. The coffee selection is great and so is the selection of cakes and pastries but the best thing about Sonoma Coffee Cafe is the gelato.. It is so good and a nice selection of flavors. I'm afraid this will be my new hangout.
They also have some big comfortable chairs, free Wi-Fi and if you leave your laptop at home you can use their computer. They keep one out for customers to use. Nice.

2009-09-04T00:02:00.000-04:00

I think this qualifies for SkyWatch Friday. It is just past dusk and there are storms to the East. The orange glow is the streetlight. The rains came a little while later.

To see more SkyWatch Friday posts, Click Here.

2009-09-03T00:02:00.002-04:00

I think John will count as one of my Stranger photos but I haven't been counting. I'll need to go back and do that when I find time. A friend and I were having lunch at The Other Place cafe in our neighboring St. Cloud and John was behind the counter. He didn't mind striking a pose for my camera so I could share him with you.

2009-09-02T00:02:00.002-04:00

Yesterday's theme of Big would describe today's photo, too. When I moved to Kissimmee over twenty years ago, I don't think there was a building over three stories high. A few years ago the new court house became the tallest building and last year the condos downtown went up and I think they are eight stories high.
Driving up to our new four lane road I spotted this construction site and stopped to take a photo. Most of our buildings here are built on site with cement blocks but this new Toho Water Authority building seems to be built from prefabricated slabs of concrete. I don't know how high it will go but will check back and give progress reports.

2009-09-01T00:02:00.002-04:00

It's the first of the month and it's Theme Day for City Daily Photo blogs. Yesterday's Big Top should have been my Theme post for today but too late. So here's a different view of the really big balloon at the other end of Downtown Disney West. It's a fun way to view the area and you go up 400 feet. I took this photo from the round basket that hangs beneath the balloon.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

2009-08-31T00:02:00.000-04:00

Stormy skies over Cirque du Soleil. This was last week in late afternoon. The early show crowd had mostly gone in and there were just a few late-comers heading up the steps.
They are running a special for Florida residents right now. Buy one ticket and get a second for just Twenty-five dollars. That is a very good deal.

Florida Residents Click Here and enter your zip code.

2009-08-30T00:02:00.002-04:00

These two sculptures of found and recycled scraps loom outside one of the entrances to The House of Blues in Downtown Disney. When they have the big art show in the fall, they have a separate section in this area of "Outsider Art" which is one of my favorite parts of the show. Much originality and creativity using found and discarded items to create fun artful pieces.

2009-08-29T00:02:00.000-04:00

Cirque du Soleil Gift shop window. Spotted this mannequin in the window last week. This isn't one of the costumes from La Nouba, the show we have here but seems to be special for celebrating Cirque du Soleil's Twentyfifth Anniversary. The Dream Continues!! I've only been to this Cirque show and have seen many of the others on television but it is an unforgettable experience. One day I'd like to go to Las Vegas to see the three that are performed there.

2009-08-28T00:02:00.000-04:00

The Pizza maker at Wolfgang Puck's. They use a real brick oven to bake the tasty little pizzas. The mosaic work is all over the restaurant and is nicely done. Note the ceramic pizza slices over the opening of the oven. I like whimsey.

2009-08-27T00:02:00.000-04:00

The House of Blues in Downtown Disney is just under this water tower. It has a large theatre that has featured some big name stars like B.B. King and others. It also has a restaurant and a clothing/gift shop. In the back there are some fun mosaic walls and arches which I featured last year.
Click Here to learn more about the water tower and who will be perfoming next.
*Five more weeks until I leave for Paris.

2009-08-26T00:12:00.004-04:00

I met my inherited daughter and a friend for dinner at Downtown Disney last night. My favorite Virgin Megastore has been replaced with a Princess Diana Museum. They spent quite a bit of money redoing the building but it didn't seem to have many people paying the $14.50 to go inside to see the exhibits. According to reports, this is a temporary exhibit. Here's more.

2009-08-25T00:01:00.001-04:00

Reflection. At the eye doctor's I found a parking space in front of the building. Large window relected my car. It was nice to be able to check to make sure my lights were working. I took this photo and just realized that it appears that my steering wheel and I are on the wrong side. A reversed self portrait of my car and me.

2009-08-24T00:02:00.002-04:00

My red navel orange tree is loaded with green fruit so it looks like I will have a nice harvest this winter. I bought an ice cream/sorbet machine and orange sorbet will be on the menu later this year.

2009-08-23T00:01:00.001-04:00

Since today is Sunday just follow the signs.

2009-08-22T00:02:00.000-04:00

We now have a large bookstore in the Loop, our newest mall. I keep being drawn to the the travel section and checking to see if there are any books on Paris that I have missed. Don't think so. I think I have most, if not all, of them.

2009-08-21T00:05:00.002-04:00

Skywatch Friday. This is the time of year for thunderstorms here in Florida and as pretty as these clouds are they can turn into wild and windy downpours. Florida is very flat so these clouds on the horizon are my Florida mountains.
To see the other Skywatch Friday photos: Click Here

2009-08-20T00:02:00.000-04:00

This is Gracie, my garage cat. She moved into the garage many years ago after the previous garage cat died. She is Shadow's mother and although they don't look alike they are similar in personality. His litter was born in the garage and after adopting him and finding homes for his siblings, Gracie visited the Vet and was spayed. She goes outside in the morning and terrorizes the cats who hang out in my backyard. I think she does it for sport and to get a bit of exercise but she mostly just lays in the laundry basket and sleeps. I've lost track of how old she is but Shadow is over eight years old and she must be three or four years older but she has kept her looks and doesn't look a day over five.

2009-08-19T00:03:00.001-04:00

I had my eye exam last week and yesterday my final fitting for new contact lenses. I haven't worn them in years but want to try again and I wanted to pick out new glasses while wearing them. Without my glasses I am blind as the proverbial bat so picking out new frames is quite a challenge. I can only see them from about 5 inches from the mirror and in the past have been unhappily surprised when the lenses are in and I can see.
So this lovely young Optician ordered my new contacts for me and helped me select new frames for my new prescription. Her name is Wendy. She is holding my new frames. We had a fun time laughing and exchanging stories.
Can I count her towards the Stranger challenge?

2009-08-18T00:02:00.002-04:00

This is a photo of my cat, Shadow. He's a real character and likes to do his vulture pose. He hangs his head and paws over the edge of whatever he's on. This time he caught me and looked up.
Okay, I told you I'm desperate and running out of photos. I need to get out tomorrow and see what I can find. I promise.

2009-08-17T00:02:00.001-04:00

When you are walking around Epcot Center on a hot day and need some relief head to the Land pavillion. It used to be sponsored by Kraft but now it's Nestle but the one ride that is soothing and relaxing is still the same. It's almost a zen experience. It's a boat ride on a manmade stream that takes you backstage to a hydroponic garden that is incredible. There are also fish tanks for fish farming and some typical Disney music and eye candy but the garden is my favorite spot. They tell us that the food produced here is used in Disney restaurants. I always want to reach out and pluck a banana or tomato from the plant. It is forbidden so I don't.
Bottom photo was taken just before entering the garden area. Click on any photos to enlarge.

2009-08-16T00:02:00.000-04:00

A manhole cover at downtown Celebration. Can you tell that I'm running out of ideas this week. I need to go out and scout out some interesting places to photograph. I've been running on empty lately and my mind is on my October trip to Paris but I will make time this week to take my camera out looking for adventure.

2009-08-15T00:02:00.001-04:00

On sale this week. Bins and stacks of them in every supermarket and produce stand. They look good and I'll probably get one this weekend. I would rather have one of those lovely little ones they have in France but I'll settle for one of these for now.

2009-08-14T00:02:00.002-04:00

I've not joined Skywatch Friday but since it's Friday and there's quite a bit of sky in this shot of two old palm trees, I thought I'd post it. I may add a link to the other SkyWatch Friday posts if I can find it.
Lois gave me the link so to see the other Skywatch Friday posts,
Click Here. Thanks, Lois.

2009-08-13T00:02:00.003-04:00

This fountain and statue are in Winter Park. A nice town on the northeast side of Orlando. Upscale shopping and dining and a nice walkable city. I met an Il Divo friend there last week. We went to the Morse Museum to see the Tiffany works, went to the farmer's market, walked through the park and then had lunch at Le Bistro, a very nice restaurant that is in back of the regular stores in a little alley. It was a nice afternoon except that on my way there a line of cars exiting the interstate were pulled over by the police and given tickets for turning right on red. I was the last one pulled over. I've been driving for 50 years and this was my first moving violation.
I've been trying to pay my ticket by phone but the automatic answering system keeps messing up and it also keeps saying that because of budget cuts, the wait will be longer.. Hahahah.. hopefully with all the tickets the police have been writing, they will be fully funded soon.
I did finally get through to someone and my ticket hadn't been put into the system yet. So I get to keep my money just a few days more.
I don't think I'l be returning to or suggesting Winter Park to my friends again.

2009-08-12T00:02:00.000-04:00

Waiting. This was the view from a chair I was in while waiting for the Dermatogist. The glass wall and the starkness of the room gave a feeling of being in a science fiction film. The waiting area is on the other side of the curved glass wall and it is somewhat space age in a Florida way, also. It was my first time here and found it interesting. Soft colors, soft lighting and nice soft spoken staff made it very pleasant.

2009-08-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

The grocery store had masses of flowers for sale. The roses looked so fresh and nice. Below are some of the others on display.

2009-08-10T00:02:00.000-04:00

Temptation! I'm trying to eat healthier and resisted the temptation of these pastries while at the store. They did look yummy but I bought berries and yogurt instead. I'm feeling very rightious today but tomorrow may be a different outcome.

2009-08-09T00:02:00.001-04:00

From the safari ride at Busch Gardens we saw this Giraffe. Most of the animals seemed comfortable with the vehicles and there is even a special one you can take in the back of an open truck. They stop and the giraffes come to the truck to be fed. We didn't do that one but it looked like fun.

2009-08-08T00:02:00.000-04:00

I love chandeliers. This one was hanging in an antique store in a nearby town.

2009-08-07T00:02:00.000-04:00

Lamps for sale at the Moroccan Pavillion at the World Showcase at Epcot Center, Disney World.

2009-08-06T00:02:00.000-04:00

A night shot of one of the many fountains at Epcot's World Showcase.

2009-08-05T00:02:00.004-04:00

This little fellow was behind glass in his habitat but when he looked at me like that I just wanted to bring him home. Not sure how my cats would feel about it but he might just blend in and get them to exercise more and sleep less.
Whoops.. forgot to say that he is a Lemur and although you cannot see his tail, he is a Ringtailed Lemur and they are from Madagascar